News

Teaching assistant Apprenticeships proving popular as take-up grows

Young people are being given the opportunity to train as teaching assistants, with the option of going on to become teachers, through a pioneering Apprenticeship scheme aimed at 16 to 24-year-olds.

The programme, being run by Youthforce, started in schools in Portsmouth but has since expanded to Southampton, Brighton and High Wycombe.

In all, more than 30 primaries and 15 secondary schools are giving apprentices the opportunity to gain valuable work experience as part of their courses.

Richard Davis, Youthforce’s partnerships associate, said the scheme represented excellent value for schools, which were providing vital experience and expertise in developing potential future teaching assistants, learning support assistants and teachers.

“Apprentices are funded through the Skills Funding Agency, and in the first year of the Apprenticeships they can be paid anything above the minimum wage (for apprentices) of £2.68 per hour,” he explained.

Register now, read forever

Thank you for visiting SecEd and reading some of our content for professionals in secondary education. Register now for free to get unlimited access to all content.

What's included:

  • Unlimited access to news, best practice articles and podcast

  • New content and e-bulletins delivered straight to your inbox every Monday and Thursday

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here